Indoor pitching, batting area planned for Governors Field

Carson City children involved with organized softball and baseball could have a nearby indoor pitching and batting practice area available to them by next fall.

A professional athlete has offered to pay for the building, but this person’s name won’t be disclosed until the groundbreaking, said Tim Terry, assistant commissioner for Carson City Little League. He would only say the benefactor’s sport is football.

The Planning Commission will consider a request to build it in the southeast corner of Governors Field, near the corner of Evalyn Drive and Roop Street.

For years, there has been interest in constructing a location for the children to practice during the off-season, but discussions only became serious during the past few months, according to local youth sports officials.

“It has been a question of getting enough momentum to get the program going,” Terry said. “We’d like to get the building foundation started in the spring.”

The two-story, 6,840-square-foot building is expected to cost $200,000 to construct and equip with three batting cages and pitching practice spaces. There also will be room upstairs for meetings and other activities, and a restroom.

Recommended Stories For You

“The city is just giving them the land,” said Pete Livermore, president of the Carson City Youth Sports Association and a city supervisor. “It’s a pretty good deal.”

The idea was approved during the October association meeting, he said.

The building will be owned by the city, though no city dollars are required for the project because donations are financing it, said Roger Moellendorf, the city parks and recreation director.

It won’t be a walk-in practice facility, however. It will be devoted to local organized youth sports.

While some youth groups rent out commercial space for practice sites, others travel to Douglas or Washoe counties, Terry said.

“It’ll be heavily used by the kids in town,” Terry added. “A lot of kids like to hone their abilities year-round.”

The three outdoor batting cages at Governors Field will remain on the grounds. Improvements to the highly used sports area were completed earlier this fall.

This month’s planning commission meeting is being held a week early to allow for the members’ holiday plans, according to the city.